Chagas disease (Ch) affects 8-10 million people in Latin America, most of them are poor. Sudden death (SD) is the major cause of death in patients with Ch. To the best of our knowledge, the present report covers the largest reported series comparing the SD of Ch versus non-Ch patients Objective: To compare the circadian rhythm of SD in Ch versus non-Ch patients.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of all the cases of SD recorded in our department, including autopsied patients from 1963 until 2011. The pattern of SD of 262 patients (116 Ch and 146 non-Ch), 56.7% men, average age 54, 6 years old, divided into four groups: Group A: Ch with SD (n = 38), Group B: non-Ch with SD (n = 58), Group C. Ch with non SD (n = 89), and Group D: non-Ch with non SD (n = 81). For the statistical analysis, proportion comparison was used.
Results: 44.7% (17/38) of SDs in Group A (Ch) occurred between 6 a.m. and 5:59 p.m., while for Group B (not Ch) 70.7% (41 /58) died in that time (p < 0.005). 55.3% (21/38) of the SD in Group A (Ch) occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. compared with 29.3% (17/58) in Group B (p < 0, 005).
Conclusions: Circadian rhythm of SD in patient with Ch differs from those with non-Ch. In Ch patients, SD occurs predominantly during the night compared with non-Ch SD that occurs predominantly during the day especially during the morning.
Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Chagas disease; circadian rhythm; sudden death.